Palate: Pretty full, but very drinkable even at full strength. A wash of coaldust and bonfire woodsmoke, with some dried peat. Chocolate hints. Very lively, it fairly fizzes around the tastebuds. Some spice and mocha. Becomes warming mid-palate as the bonfire peat kicks in. Water tames the fiery roar and lifts the sweetness, while retaining a peaty kick.

Finish: Good length. Becomes drying, with a little chilli heat; as the phenols fade, a honeysuckle sweetness and some fruity notes emerge.

Comment: Another majestic PE. Any sherry cask of this age (minimum 27 years old) that has only dropped a few points abv is likely to do something pretty special to the spirit inside. You have to like peat and sherry, obviously, but fans of the last Pe1 won’t be disappointed with this – from memory, I think it’s very similar - possibly a little sweeter. I lit a cigarette and asked my glass ‘How was it for you?’.